UV light setup question.....

[FBradshaw]

I just got a digital thermo today. Do you know why they say the compact coils are bad for beardies????

There are actually several problems with the compact/coil type bulbs. There are 2 basic designs for UVB lighting, using a lower output light(the tube style fluorescent bulbs) to bathe most of the enclosure so that UVB is absorbed in small quantities all throughout the day, and using a higher output light(MVB) to put higher amounts of UVB in just one area, usually the basking area. The main problem with coil/compact bulbs is they aren't large enough to flood most of the enclosure with UVB like the tube style bulbs do, and they don't have a high enough UVB output to work as a spot source like an MVB. A secondary problem that occurs with most compact/coil style bulbs is they have too high of a UVI(UV Index) and they tend to leak UVC. Too high of a UVI will result in skin and retna burns, kind of like a bad sunburn, while the UVC is actually quite hazardous on it's own.

I might have to mount it inside the viv.... I dont think I can pull out the screen due to my kids... they might mess with it.... Anyone know a safe way to mount it inside on the glass??

You can buy velcro strips that will attach to the side of the tank and the fixture that will work perfectly for mounting a UVB fixture inside the enclosure. You should be able to find these at any local hardware store(Lowes, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, ....).

 

[Beardednoob]

If you use velcro strips to mount the light fixture and the heat of the enclosure is over 100 degrees the adhesive can give way.

 

[KotaBeardie]

I don't want to hijack your thread, but I have the same question. I have the mesh on top and the uvb light & hood sitting on top, could I cut the mesh where the uvb light hood is? The fixture rests on the plastic slide for lid so I do not think there is any risk of it falling, and I am not worried about Kota escaping either. Thank you.

 

[1beardie]

You could as long as you are sure it wont fall and if you have something in your viv that allows your beardie to get fairly close to the uvb light.

 

[KotaBeardie]

I have the Reptisun 10.0 tube light, how far does he have to be from the light?

 

[1beardie]

Mine is about 6" away. You also need to have a place for your beardie to hide if it has had enough uv exposure...

 

[KotaBeardie]

Isn't the Reptisun 10.0 effective up to 20" away? Kota is about 9 inches away when he is on his branch and his basking spot is about 12" away from the uvb.

 

[1beardie]

It is up to 20" but its not enough.... Your setup sounds good. I think someone said 6 to 10" is ideal..

 

[KotaBeardie]

Great, thank you so much